Cowboyway Home • Horses For Sale / Classifieds • Rodeo Schedules • eBay Pages • How To / What Is • Great Links

Home

Horses For Sale /
Classifieds

Rodeo Schedules

eBay Pages

How To /
What Is

Rodeo News
/ Headlines

Saddles For Sale

Pictures and
Posters

Horse Gestation Table

Horse Names

Glossary

Greeting Cards

Cowboy Quotes

John Wayne Quotes
and Sound Clips

Cowboy Music

Silver Screen Heroes

Really Great Links
(Western Shopping and More)

Free Newsletter

Site Map

Search

Rodeo Tickets

Cheap Saddles

Western Decor

Cowboy eBay

Note: Links with green underlines are shopping links and will open in a new window

How To Trim A Bridle Path - Page 1 of 2

The "bridle path" on a horse is the trimmed area of mane just behind the ears where the bridle or halter rests. A bridle path is commonly trimmed on all kinds of horses of all riding disciplines so that the bridle or halter doesn't get tangled in the mane hairs. Trimming a bridle path neatly helps to keep any horse looking its best.

In the photos and text below we'll give you some tips on how to trim your horse's bridle path. Please keep in mind this article assumes your horse accepts being trimmed with electric clippers.

You can begin trimming at the front of the bridle path or the back; it's your choice. Usually, you will get a slightly closer cut by trimming against the growth of the hair. For a bridle path, this means trimming from front (where the ears are) to back. However, to trim the bridle path shown in the photos the horse was trimmed from back to front. This is because there were some mane hairs blowing around in the wind and starting at the back made it easier to keep the mane hairs out of the way. At first the halter was pushed forward, close to the horse's ears. As the back of the bridle path was trimmed the halter was pushed down the horse's neck to allow the clippers room to trim closer to the ears. See the next photo.

Most people will want the front of the bridle path to begin about 1 fingers' width behind the ears, so this is where the trim was stopped. This should allow enough room for the bridle or halter without cutting into the forelock hairs. Go to page 2 >>>

How To Trim A Bridle Path (you are on page 1 of 2)
Go to page 2

Oster Clippers

Oster carries several clippers that would be perfect from trimming a horse's bridle path and much more. Oster is famous for their A5 line of clippers, known for being lightweight, quiet, and with enough power for clipping the bridle path, around the face, and the legs.

The Oster A5 accommodates a wide variety of blades for all purposes, including:

• the #10 for general trimming,

• the #30 for close trimming,

• the #40 for extreme close trimming,

• and many more.

In addition to the A5, Oster also makes numerous other styles of clippers including cordless clippers and their Clipmaster line. The Oster Clipmaster is a larger trimmer, not suited for areas such as the face, but an excellent choice for body clipping horses and/or use on other livestock such as cattle and sheep.

Be Safe

When trimming your horse's bridle path you will be standing very close to the horse's head. This can be dangerous if the horse should suddenly move its head or front legs. Use appropriate precautions and have a friend help you if necessary. If it's fly season you will also want to apply fly spray to your horse to encourage him or her to stand still.